Island of Viti Levu The largest island, Viti Levu (pronounced Vee-tee Lay-vu) is home to 70% of the population (about 580,000) and is the hub of the entire archipelago. It measures 146 kilometers long and 106 kilometers wide and has an area of 10,389 square kilometers. In the realm of Pacific islands, it is exceeded in size only by New Caledonia and the Big Island of Hawaii.

Viti Levu has it all--cities, offshore resorts, cane fields, nightlife, low life, villages and as elsewhere in Fiji, no shortage of friendly local people.

Visitors to Fiji will most likely arrive at Nadi International Airport, a dusty farming and tourism center on the west coast of Viti Levu that is rapidly growing in stature. Just to north, 20 minutes away by car, is Lautoka, the second largest city and the second port of entry. The dry, western side of the island, known locally as the `Burning West', is the site of most of the tourist resorts as well as extensive sugar lands. On the southeastern shore is Suva, the largest city, the chief port and the capital. A modern highway runs along most of the perimeter of Viti Levu which makes driving around the island easy. Note that the highway is not quite so good on the topside of the island, past Rakiraki.

Visitors should also note that the climate varies significantly from east to west.The western side of the island is sun-drenched and dry whereas the verdant and often soggy eastern side gets as much as 100 inches of rainfall a year.

Nadi: Day trip to the Mamanuca Islands or the Nausori Highlands. The main thing is to use Nadi as a jumping-off point to see the nearby environs.

Lautoka: Visit Garden of the Sleeping Giant or the Offshore Resorts in the Mamanucas. Consider spending a day or two on Nananu-I-Ra Island which is about two hours by bus from Lautoka.

Suva: See the Fiji Museum, check out the nightclubs, and visit the Cultural Center at Pacific Harbour. If you have the notion, jump on a plane and take a day trip to the Old Capital of Levuka, a ten minute flight from Suva.

Sigatoka: Drive or bus up the Sigatoka Valley and picnic on Natadola Beach. There is also a great beach (and surfing) at the mouth of the Sigatoka River.

Guided Tours to the Hinterlands: If you're in the Nadi area and are interested in a tour of the Sigatoka Valley consider taking a half day or full day guided tour with Isaia Seru. Seru, a personable fellow, can take you around in his 4-wheel drive vehicle to the rarely visited interior of Viti Levu including Navala Village -- one of the few remaining villages with tradtional thatched roof bures (homes). You can reach him at 700 396 or by fax at 702-322. His mailing address is PO BOX 10179, Nadi Airport, Fiji Islands.